Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Growth and New Beginnings at Bluebird Design Co.

One of our favorite projects in 2024, a vacant stage in North Dallas. Renovations completed by Aspen Group.

Hello, friends! I’m Vanessa Harrell, co-owner of Bluebird Design Co., and I’m thrilled to take you along on a journey through my and Krystin’s eventful year in 2024 and the exciting start to 2025. Last year was transformative for our business, filled with growth, new opportunities, and personal connections that have enriched both our professional and personal lives. Shall we?

Streamlining Operations: The Big Move

One of the pivotal changes we embraced in 2024 was the consolidation of our storage units into a single warehouse. Transitioning from four large storage units to one organized warehouse was a game-changer for Bluebird Design Co. This move not only enhanced our efficiency but also provided us with a more streamlined inventory system. The new setup has allowed us to manage our resources better and improve the overall organization of our staging materials.

Co-warehousing has proven to be an excellent fit for us and we love being part of the entrepreneur culture at Madewell Spaces. Being surrounded by a community of like-minded entrepreneurs has been inspiring and motivating. It's a reminder that even in a competitive market, there is strength in community. We’ve forged valuable connections, shared insights, and learned from the experiences of others, all while growing our own business.

We took this video the day we toured the space and we knew then she was ours.

Building a Solid Inventory

In 2024, we made a strategic decision to invest over $50,000 in building a robust inventory of fresh and versatile furnishings. This investment has enabled us to stage more properties concurrently, meeting the growing demand for our services. It was a bold move, but one that has already started to pay off as we’ve expanded our reach and enhanced the appeal of the properties we stage.

Stepping into the Spotlight: Podcast Features

The Mess and Meaning podcast is hosted by Dr. Kara Shade.

Moving beyond our comfort zone has been a recurring theme this past year. We had the incredible opportunity to be featured on two prominent podcasts: The Community Difference Podcast - Plano and the Mess and Meaning Podcast. These experiences allowed us to share the heart and soul of Bluebird Design Co., discussing what we do and why we do it. Being on these platforms was both thrilling and nerve-wracking, but ultimately, it was a rewarding experience that helped us connect with a broader audience.

The Community Difference - Plano is hosted by Nathan Smith.

Recognition and Expansion: Awards and Team Growth

In July 2024, we received the delightful news that Bluebird Design Co. was selected as a Top Ten Finalist in the RESA® Home Staging Industry Awards for the Rising Star Occupied Staging North America category. This recognition was a significant milestone for us, considering the thousands of staging companies across North America. Although we didn’t win the award, being nominated was an honor that validated our hard work and dedication.

September brought more exciting changes as we expanded our team by welcoming Amanda McShain as our Staging Assistant. Amanda's addition was serendipitous, as both Krystin and I had separate connections with her. Krystin and Amanda shared years of experience as elementary school teachers at the same school, while Amanda and I had bonded over many yoga classes at the same studio. Fun fact, Amanda is also a certified yoga instructor! Our mutual understanding of balancing young children and a growing business has created a harmonious and supportive work environment, making Amanda a perfect fit for our team.

Amanda McShain. We love her so!

Taking on New Challenges: A Major Project

In the spring of 2024, we embraced a new challenge by taking on our first large project for hard materials selection (flooring, tile, countertops, etc.), thanks to request from friends in Colleyville. We had previously received requests for this service, but referred them out. After a devastating fire caused significant damage to our friends’ home, we had the privilege of helping them rebuild and redesign their space. This project was not only an enormous undertaking but also an incredibly fulfilling one. Seeing them move back into their beautifully restored home just before Christmas was a highlight of our year, and the end result was something we are immensely proud of. We will always be grateful to Jacob and Lacey for extending such a tremendous opportunity.

Embracing Expert Guidance: Lori Fischer's Coaching Program

In the latter part of 2024, we took a significant step towards refining our business operations by applying and securing a spot in Lori Fischer's esteemed private coaching program. Lori, the brilliant mind behind ReThink Home Interiors and the host of our favorite podcast, Staging Sips, has long been an inspiration to us. Being selected for her program was a thrilling opportunity that we eagerly embraced. Over the course of six sessions in Q4 of 2024, Lori guided us through some of our most challenging obstacles, particularly in the realms of automation and service definition. Her insights have been transformative, helping us streamline our processes and clarify our service offerings. It was no question that we would continue our sessions with Lori in Q1 of 2025 and we are excited to implement her strategies and further enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Bluebird Design Co.

Kicking Off 2025 with a Bang: Good Morning Texas

Paige McCoy Smith. She is so lovely!

As 2024 came to a close, we received an unexpected but thrilling call from Paige McCoy Smith, a host, reporter and producer for Good Morning Texas. She invited us to participate in a segment about staging homes for sale and sharing tips for making a great first impression. This opportunity was a dream come true for our small mom-owned business. The chance to reach a wider audience through live television was surreal, and it has set an exhilarating tone for 2025. Here is the link for our episode! You can watch the first segment around the 9 minute mark and the second segment around the 36 minute mark. Seriously such a cool experience!

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on the past year, I am filled with gratitude and excitement. The growth we’ve experienced, the challenges we’ve overcome, and the opportunities that have come our way have all contributed to shaping Bluebird Design Co. into what it is today. As we venture into 2025, we are eager to continue building on this momentum, exploring new opportunities, and deepening the connections that have made this journey so rewarding.

Thank you for being a part of our journey, and here’s to an even more incredible 2025!